Celtic fans criticised Afolabi move, Kenny comments should excite them

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Celtic need new recruits before the end of the transfer window, but few would have backed Jonathan Afolabi to be a new signing.

The Bhoys need a right back and a left back as well as a number of others players, and time is running out for Neil Lennon to get players in through the door.

However, Celtic have seemingly managed to get a deal done for Afolabi, with Lennon telling BBC that a two-year deal is imminent for the 19-year-old.

Bizarrely, Celtic have yet to officially confirm the striker’s arrival, despite Lennon’s comments – and some fans aren’t happy with the move, as we covered here.

There’s a perception that the former Southampton striker is just another bit-part youngster who won’t break through, and doesn’t add any first-team quality to Lennon’s squad.

However, Celtic fans should pay attention to comments made by Republic of Ireland Under-21 boss Stephen Kenny, who hailed Afolabi this summer.

He told Pundit Arena that he felt Afolabi was ‘exceptional’ during Ireland Under-19’s European Championship run this summer, branding him one of the best forwards in the tournament.

Kenny praised Afolabi’s drive and commitment after being let go by Southampton, and his comments suggest that the striker really could be one for the future, despite some scepticism from Celtic fans.

“One of the things that has been a plus is the form of Jonathan Afolabi,” said Kenny. “He’s been one of the best centre-forwards in the tournament without a doubt. A lot of players when they’re released from clubs it’s quite complex. Human emotion is what it is, some people maybe come home, get deflated and give up football. They fall out of love with the game for a year, it takes them sometimes a year to get the motivation back to get back playing. Jonathan has taken a setback but he hasn’t allowed that setback to set him back.”

“He’s been very determined to show his quality and I think that was evident in Russia in the qualifying campaign, he was very prominent and I think he’s shown everyone a great example of how to react when you have been let go. He’s been exceptional,” he added.